Kentucky Derby Blog

Defending Horse of the Year Curlin made his return to dirt racing in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes a successful one at Saratoga today. Curlin, the 3-10 favorite against six rivals, looked like a big winner as he clicked into gear for jockey Robby Albarado rounding the final turn. He drew even with pacesetter Past the Point, a 40-1 shot, in upper stretch as second choice Divine Park retreated. But after getting a slight advantage, the champ labored in the final eighth of a mile before prevailing by 1 1/4 lengths.

With the victory, Curlin’s 10th in 14 starts, Curlin boosted his earnings to $9,796,800, moving him past Skip Away into second place all-time among Thoroughbreds. Cigar, with 19 lifetime victories and earnings of $9,999,815, leads the way. Curlin could go for the earnings record in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup September. 27 at Belmont Park at 10 furlongs, although there may be other options.

$500,000 Woodward Stakes results and payouts
Pgm Horse             Win    Place   Show
5 Curlin             2.70     2.40    2.10
3 Past the Point             13.80    6.40
8 Wanderin Boy                        3.50$
2 Exacta (5-3) Paid $41.80, $2 Trifecta (5-3-8) Paid $185.00

Curlin, the champion three-year-old of 2007 and Horse of the Year, drew the No. 5 post in a field of eight Thursday, and was made the 3-5 morning-line favourite for Saturday’s US$500,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Curlin has earned $9,496,800 during his career. He has raced 13 times and has nine wins, two seconds and two thirds. The last time he ran, Curlin finished second in his first try on grass, the Grade I Man o’War Stakes at Belmont on July 12.

The field, in post position order with jockey, trainer and odds:

1. A.P. Arrow, Cornelio Velasquez, Todd Pletcher, 20-1
2. Loose Leaf, Eibar Coa, Ken McPeek, 15-1
3. Past the Point, Edgar Prado, Eoin Harty, 15-1
4. Divine Park, Alan Garcia, Kiaran McLaughlin, 3-1
5. Curlin, Robby Albarado, Steve Asmussen, 3-5
6. Dr. D.F.C., Aldo Arboleda, Rodrigo Ubillo, 50-1
7. Out of Control, John Velazquez, Bobby Frankel, 12-1
8. Wanderin Boy, Julien Leparoux, Nick Zito, 8-1

Check out live Woodward Stakes odds and past performances at DRF before you place a wager!

Colonel John won the 139th running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga yesterday. Colonel John had run a disappointing sixth after a troubled trip in the Kentucky Derby. He redeemed himself somewhat by gaining a taut decision at Saratoga Race Course in the 1¼-mile race known as the “mid-summer Derby.”

Colonel John reached the winner’s circle for the fifth time in nine career starts with a pair of second-place finishes and one third-place showing. All of his previous successes had come on synthetic surfaces. He had not prevailed beyond a mile-and-an-eighth.

Horse Betting> Results and Payouts

Gate  Horse         Jockey         Win  Place  Show

2  COLONEL JOHN     GOMEZ G K    $10.40 $5.40  $4.30

9  MAMBO IN SEATTLE ALBARADO R J        $6.30  $5.10

11 PYRO             BRIDGMOHAN S X             $3.70

Curlin is running for the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga on August 30th. It looks like Breeders’ Cup when we expect to see Curlin vs. Big Brown matchup soon, but watching 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin run is as much as an excitement. So don’t miss out!

It is not a bad idea to check out horse betting experts’ picks before you place a bet. Here I find Steve Davidowitz and Dave Tuley’s Travers and Pacific Classic contender picks.

Travers Stakes at Saratoga

Steve Davidowiz’ Pick
1. TALE OF EKATI. The Wood Memorial winner in April was under-trained for his fourth-place finish in the Jim Dandy and may be set for a big forward move at good odds. Worth using in all three positions in the Superfecta.
2. COLONEL JOHN. Had a good prep in the Swaps for this and has sharpened his late speed in recent workouts; might prove strongest.
3. PYRO. Tends to create problems for himself at the gate or in traffic but has a strong rally and is another legit contender among many who may be over-bet on his name recognition.

Long shot
Other than my upset win pick – Tale of Ekati – TRES BORRACHOS has outrun his odds many times over and has the speed to stay out of trouble. Seems quite fit after a steady diet of a race per month since March.

Dave Tuley’s Picks
1. PYRO. Was outrun to the wire by MACHO AGAIN in the Jim Dandy. Trainer Steve Asmussen wants him to be a little closer to the pace and if he can get the jump on MACHO AGAIN, PYRO can turn the tables.
2. MACHO AGAIN. Can take over the clear No. 2 spot in his class with a victory here, but it’s hard to take a short price in such a wide-open event.
3. MAMBO IN SEATTLE. His connections picked an easier spot for his Travers prep with the Henry Walton Stakes for 3-year-olds who hadn’t won a graded race. That experience sets him up well with the anticipated fast early pace in this race.

long shot…
DA’ TARA’s Belmont upset wasn’t a fluke as he still had to be a quality animal to go the 1 1/2 miles. With him finishing last in the Jim Dandy, we should see an attractive price on him again and if ACAI keeps up with him early, perhaps he can steal another.

Pacific Classic at Del Mar

Steve Davidowitz’ Picks

1. AWESOME GEM. Just missed here last year and was third to Curlin in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Prepped sharply with a good second in a minor turf stakes at Del Mar on July 25th. Slim preference.
2. GO BETWEEN. Trained by Billy Mott, was an encouraging second in the Hollywood Gold Cup at this distance to the front running winner, MAST TRACK. Likely to get a better pace set up here, but must cure his case of seconditis.
3. MAST TRACK. Has brilliant speed and won the Hollywood Gold Cup at this distance on a synthetic surface for trainer Bobby Frankel who practically owned the Pacific Classic when it was run on a standard dirt track. Will be tested by other front runners.

long shot…

SURF CAT, a very good second behind front running WELL ARMED in the San Diego Handicap over the Del Mar track last month, worked long and strong for this. Legit upset chance.

Dave Tuley

1. GO BETWEEN. Has certainly proved himself in the major West Coast races this year and retains the services of top jockey Garrett Gomez. It’s his race to lose.
2. STUDENT COUNCIL. Was a 23-1 longshot last year when winning this race but he won’t be anywhere near that price as he’s established himself in the handicap division. He showed a good late kick with a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga.
3. ZAPPA. Comes in off a win in the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II Handicap on July 30th over this track so could be the horse for the course. Trainer John Sadler has been on fire this meet.

long shot…

DELOSVIENTOS is 3-for-5 this year but his top win being in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Handicap at Belmont won’t cause a run at the betting windows against this quality field, so he should be available at a juicy price.

Big Brown is heading back to Monmouth turf in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic horse racing on September 13. His first start on grass since breaking his maiden at Saratoga last year.

Big Brown co-owner Michael Iavarone said the 1 1-8 mile race will serve as the final tune-up for the 3-year-old colt before the Classic, which will be held on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita on October 25.

Monmouth bumped the purse from $200,000 to $500,000 to lure Big Brown to the race against horses 3-and-up.

Big Brown is coming off a gritty victory in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on August 3 and has won six of his seven career starts. Big Brown dominated his only other start on grass, winning his first career start by 11 1/4 at Saratoga last September.